§ Major ARCHER-SHEEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is any diminution of the number of officers or of able seamen belonging to the Royal Naval Reserve in recent years; and if he can say what is the number of officers and able seamen now belonging to the Royal Naval Reserve?
Mr. LAMBERTThe number of officers and seamen of the Royal Naval Reserve has been reduced gradually in recent years to the standard considered adequate for requirements. The present number of officers of the military branch is 1,250, and of leading seamen, seamen, and provisional seamen 10,500. There is no rating of able seaman in the Royal Naval Reserve.